True Faith Doesn’t Demand Favorites

As a Priest of a large community, I have the difficult task of choosing between one ministry and another. I am forced to limit time spent with people simply because I am needed in another place. I don’t like to cut time short, but nobody can be in two places at once.

I say this not to complain. The clock stops for nobody and truthfully not everyone who wants to see the priest always gets exactly what he wants. I struggle with this, but I am thankful I minister to a community that graciously understands the reality of time limits.

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.

Luke 7.1-10

Today’s Gospel lesson is an example of the interactions I’m talking about. Faced with the reality that Jesus time was ‘stretched’ between so many, the centurion said, “Lord, do not trouble yourself.” His humility is a lesson for each of us, and God honored him by healing his servant.

Those around Jesus had a different idea. They lobbied for Jesus to ‘drop what He was doing’ and go and be with the powerful man. “His is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue.” They wanted Jesus to play favorites.

I won’t lie. This happens to clergy all the time. “Father, you need to make time for that person. He is powerful.” It is almost like hearing the Gospel in real time, but Jesus turns the tables on those who would cater to the elites. “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

True faith doesn’t demand special treatment. True faith seeks humility and grace. Jesus was pointing us in the direction of humility, not elitism. When we are tempted by our ego to seek special treatment by God, we should consider this Gospel lesson.

God desires to help us. God desires us to want His help. He will help us every time we ask. I need to make that clear. I don’t want you to think God doesn’t want to hear our needs. He heard the centurion, and He helped the centurion. He also pointed out the centurion’s deep faith.

The funny thing about this story is that we forget about the servant that was healed. Who was he, and why did the centurion care so much? Those elements of the story are not important. What is important is the centurion’s humble faith was the source of his healing.

In one story, the secular idea of ‘playing favorites’ is turned on its head. Not only did the centurion admit he was not worthy for Jesus to come to his house; he didn’t even want the healing for himself. His faith was double humble, if you will.

Over the past several weeks of hurricane preparation and recovery, I have experienced many people with humble faith. “Father, there are so many who have it worse than me. I don’t need for anything. Help them instead.” I have witnessed a lot of true faith lately, and I am thankful to God.

We all have our moments of faith and ego. Let’s be honest. Maybe the Gospel lesson today can be a gentle reminder the next time we are tempted to ‘cut in line’ or demand special treatment. If we really desire God’s help, it always begins with humble faith.